First Farm Babies
2020 was the year I moved to the farm. 2021 is the year of babies!
Although it’s only February, I’m delighted to have already welcomed the first farm babies. I have a trio of meat rabbits (New Zealand x Californian) and earlier this month, Liara gave birth to 10 kitts. Then, only an hour or so ago, my other doe Tali had her first litter. As she’s a first time mum, I haven’t officially counted her babies but it looks to be nine or 10 also.
It’s a great start to the year, with all these babies offering the prospect of some income. Though these are indeed meat rabbits, I intend to sell the majority as breeding does and bucks so other people can create their own set ups.
THE PERFECT HUTCH FOR NZ RABBITS
A Frozen Birth
Liara’s babies decided to arrive just ahead of the UK’s big freeze; not the ideal time. I was really concerned about their well being, and knowing the icy blast was coming, provided Liara with loads more hay. She built an extraordinarily big nest guessing, perhaps, that bad weather was on the way. Before the snow arrived and temperatures plummeted, she lost two kits; one fell out the nest and got too cold and the other I found at the bottom of the pile having died a few days earlier.
I was really quite worried, and covered the hutch in blankets to try and provide some additional heat. However, when the thaw came, Liara showed me that I should have had more faith in her; eight sweet brown kitts are now opening their eyes and starting to venture outside their hay fortress.
READ; RAISING PASTURED RABBITS FOR MEAT
A First Time Mum
Meanwhile, I had finally managed to get Tali to accept my buck, Thane. I’ve tried for over a year but she was never interested. There were only two drop-offs and the first was rather half-hearted so I really wasn’t expecting much; two or three kitts which would actually be ideal for a first time mum. I visited the farm this afternoon to pop the ducks to bed and what should I find? Tali and a huge nest of babies! One had fallen out and become rather cold but it was still alive so I carefully placed it back in. I didn’t want to disturb her too much so had a quick, rough count whilst she went to quench her thirst … at least 8 nestlings, though I think more!
I’m thrilled with both doe’s; they’ve done great. I’m excited to see the kitts grow and, particularly with Tali’s, what colour they’ll be. Though all parents are chocolate and Liara’s kitts follow this, they’re from breeding stock that also have blue, grey and black - I’m hoping to get some of those in the mix eventually!
For details on when these meat rabbits will be for sale, please email me via the ‘Shop’, ‘Animals’ page. But for now, I shall enjoy this precious new life on my farm and look forward for the months to come.
